So it's getting colder and I have to walk to Uni and stand at public transport stops. I'm new to the UK. What shops have cute and warm (and accidentally vegan) winter jackets? I'd like to try it on before I buy it, so I'd prefer to not order online unless they have an awesome return/exchange/shipping policy.

Thank you in advance- you've all already been awesome at helping me navigate my way around and learn so much thus far!

New Look generally have lots of accidentally vegan winter jackets. They don't seem to put the annoying 2% wool in that all the other shops seem to be doing. (Like putting leather insoles in synthetic shoes! Grrrr!)

Yeah, I got my winter coat at Sainsbury's last year. They actually had more than one that I liked (though I'm not particularly stylish). The one I have is about knee-length, black, wool-look, and kept me pretty warm last year. You'll probably still have to layer if you go cheap like I did (I managed to get it on the 25% off sale for less than £40), but the one I have is actually the best vegan winter coat I've owned.

_________________A pie eating contest is a battle with no losers. - amandabear

Charity shops! I got mine for £4.99. It's not vegan (it's woolen), but it is ethically made (in England, actually, so it probably cost a fortune new as tailors here are paid more than 20p an hour) and the money went to charity. It's also a bit moth-eaten, so it's totally one with nature.

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Thanks! I'll check out the gargantuan Sainsbury's near my work and hopefully I'll get to city centre to check out New Look (or look online first to see if there is anything I'm interested in) before it gets really, really cold. If anyone sees anything awesome looking, please post! I'm one of those people who likes fashionable outerwear and will pay well for warmth and fashion since I'll be wearing it for several months.

We do have some awesome charity shops nearby but I never find anything that I like, probably because all of the Uni kids are hitting them on a regular basis.

I was in a big Sainsbury's yesterday and they'd put out their winter coats. They were also selling clothing at 1/3 off, though it might have just been for the weekend. But if you can find time to get to one, you should check it out asap.

_________________A pie eating contest is a battle with no losers. - amandabear

So cute. I like coats that have a shape to them like that one does. Is it warm? Thanks for the pic!

No problem. I like fitted coats, too. It's easy for me to end up looking sack-like under all the layer I normally end up wearing in the winter.

I only bought it a few days ago, and since then it's been pretty warm here (I was out all afternoon today in just a dress and tights - madness), so I haven't had a chance to test out its warmness, but it seems like it would be warm.

I'm going to have to check out H&M as I love grey coats- thanks for the tip. I ended up getting a cute short wool-looking coat at New Look the other day. It could be slightly dressy or casual, and it is warmer than what I've got now. I am internetless at the moment but will post a pic when I can. I love it.

I still need a really warm winter one, though. I'd consider the one I got an autumn-y one.

Excited for the possibilities- thanks for all the tips. Now I just have to get my butt out there & get something- it got pretty chilly today and I can only assume its downhill from here. I don't know exactly what to expect. Probably not as much snow, cold, or windchill as Chicago but definitely more rain, which is a weird new level of cold!

They do accept returns yeah. It's hard to say about sizing, because I find with all shops that sizes vary so much. I am usually a UK 14 and some stuff I order from there fits me perfectly and othertimes it's too small, it kind of depends on the cut/style.

Asos are pretty good with exchanging stuff, it's free postage on returns and I'm not even on the mainland and receive orders with the free super saver delivery in just a couple of days. I find their sizes a bit hit and miss, would def just go for your usual size and return it for a bigger/smaller size depending on how it is

I ended up getting a fake leather look type jacket from River Island, had to get it delivered to my boyfriends house in the uk though and I'm not going to visit him for another two weeks! I want my jacket now

I can't believe I was able to post a link to the jacket on my phone. Crazy. And the jacket is warm, too! I love it.

Thanks for the ASOS tips, guys! I don't know what size I "usually" am yet, because even at New Look I got two different jackets in different sizes. I'll figure it out soon enough. So excited to check out some awesome stuff! You guys are the BEST resources, I'd be so lost without you <3

Ooh, jellybelly that would be rough. I'm all about instant gratification. Knowing something was waiting for me would be so tough!